DEC-S2002-134, DEC-S2002-135

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF EQUALITY INVESTIGATIONS

Equal Status Act 2000
EQUALITY OFFICER'S DECISION NOs: DEC-S2002- 134/135

Jean Browne & Terisita Devers
(represented by Tuohy & Co, Solicitors)
V
Joyce's Stores
(represented by MacHales, Solicitors)

Date of Issue 13/12/2002

Key words:Equal Status Act 2000 - Direct discrimination, section 3(1)(a) - Membership of a particular family - Interpretation of definition of "family status", section 2(1) - Family status ground, section 3(2)(c) - Marital status ground, section 3(2)(b) - Supply of goods and services, section 5(1) - Refusal of admission to shop

The complainants state that, within a matter of days in September 2001, they were both refused admission to Joyce's Stores by the manager. They maintain that this action was because the manager recognised them as members of the same family who lived in a depressed area of Ballina, and that the manager's action, therefore, constituted discrimination on the grounds of their family status. The respondents totally reject that they operate a discriminatory policy against anyone. They maintain that members of the complainants' family were abusive to staff previously and that all members of the family were barred as a result.

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